Boys basketball: English speeds past Marblehead

The Lynn English boys? basketball team has finally begun to hit on all cylinders, which is a scary proposition for the rest of the Northeastern Conference. On Friday at Marblehead, Anthony Silfa had a game-high 25 points and fellow guard Erick Rosario added 21 as the Bulldogs defeated the gritty Magicians, 74-58, to qualify for the Division 1 North tournament.
?I?m really happy with the signs that I?m seeing from this team,” English coach Mike Carr said. “Marblehead is a tough place to go and play and we came out and played well. But they are a good team despite what their record shows.”
The Bulldogs (10-1, 8-0 NEC/North) held a 38-28 lead at halftime and pushed the lead to as high as 20 in the second half. Marblehead (5-5), however, didn?t quit and kept the game close late into the fourth quarter.
?They just jumped on us early,” Magicians coach Mike Giardi said. “We expected the pressure and as much as you can try and simulate it, it?s different when you go against it.”
Johnny Hilaire added 13 points for the Bulldogs. Marblehead was led by 11 points from Cian Saunders and 10 each by Angel Perez and Teddy Bostley.
?We are starting to get some chemistry with the kids,” Carr said.
Lynn Classical 66, Winthrop 33
The Rams (5-7) jumped out to a 26-5 first-quarter lead and then cruised home. Classical led 40-10 at the half and 54-24 after three quarters.
Phil Rogers had 15 points to lead a balanced Rams? attack. Christian Galvez added 10 points while C.J. Lights and Peter Mafo had seven points each.
Archbishop Williams 45, St. Mary?s 44
The Spartans (7-4) let one get away as they saw a 12-point fourth-quarter lead disappear thanks to foul trouble and cold shooting.
?We didn?t make the shots that we needed to down the stretch,” St. Mary?s coach Dave Brown said.
Dennis Bailer and Phil Garraud led St. Mary?s with 10 points each. Jalen Echevarria added nine for the Spartans.
Beverly 66, Swampscott 59
The Panthers (2-7) used a 34-18 run over the second and third quarters to overcome a nine-point first-quarter deficit and score a much-needed win.
Sam Traicoff had 16 points to lead a balance Beverly offense. Jaymes Aaron added 12 points while Kyle Coughlin had nine. Swampscott (5-6) had a game-high 24 points from Joey Ragusa while Travis Thurman added 19 and Dujour Dunkley finished with 10.
?Beverly was more balanced than we were and they won the battle at the foul line all game,” Swampscott coach Dave Born said.
Saugus 76, Peabody 73
This one went back and forth right to the end as the Sachems (4-6) made several clutch free throws in the final minute to seal the victory.
Evan DeCristoforo led the Saugus offense with 17 points while Lamarr Jones scored all 14 of his points in the second half. David Rowinsky added 13 and Dan Cacciola finished with 10 for the Sachems.
Peabody had a game-high 19 points from Moises Irizzary to lead four players in double figures. Matt Correale finished with 17 points while Matt D?Amato and Junior Estrella had 12 and 10 points, respectively.
Danvers 39, Salem 37
The only unbeaten team in the NEC had to hang on down the stretch. The Falcons (9-0) missed six straight free throws after Devonn Allen scored with just over two minutes left. Salem had a chance to tie in the final seconds but missed a mid-range jumper.
Devan Harris led Danvers with 16 points and six rebounds before fouling out. Allen finished with 10 points and six boards. Salem (8-3) was led by 11 points from Alex Sanchez and nine by Ricky Arias.
?It was a great defensive effort by both teams,” Salem coach Tom Doyle said. “We played right to the end and I was happy with the effort from my kids.”
Masco 53, Lynnfield 41The Pioneers (7-3) got 11 points from Brendan Sullivan and 10 by Greg Basilesco but didn?t have an answer for Masco?s Jake Rudolph and his 19 second half points.